What is otitis externa?
Otitis externa is an infection of the ear canal. Otitis
externa is also called swimmer's ear.
How does it occur?
Bacteria and sometimes fungi may cause the infection. It can
result from an injury, as might occur if you use a Q-tip to
clean your ears. It can also be caused by dirty water in
your ears (for example, from a lake or ocean). Frequent
showering or swimming can increase the risk of getting an
infection. Otitis externa often occurs in the summer from
swimming in polluted water. Hair spray or hair dye may
irritate the ear canal as well.
Some people get otitis externa repeatedly, especially if
they clean their ears too vigorously. People who have
skin allergies also seem particularly prone to otitis
externa.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms include:
- itching (often the first symptom)
- pain and swelling in ear canal
- discharge from the ear, which may smell bad
- crusting around the ear canal opening.
Sometimes swelling or pus may decrease your hearing.
How is it diagnosed?
Your health care provider will examine your ears. He or she
may take a sample of pus and culture it to identify the
bacteria or fungus.
How is it treated?
Your provider will carefully clean and dry your ear. If
your ear is very swollen, he or she may insert a wick soaked
in an antibiotic into the ear to get the medicine into the
infected area. You may need to put drops in your ear
several times a day to keep the wick moist.
Your health care provider may prescribe an antibiotic in
pill form if you have a severe infection. In addition, he
or she may suggest a topical medication, such as cream or
ointment, for some types of infection.
How long will the effects last?
The pain and swelling will go away gradually as the
antibiotics or other medications take effect. Most cases of
otitis externa clear up completely in 5 to 7 days.
How can I take care of myself?
- Follow the treatment plan prescribed by your health care
provider. Your health care provider will tell you how to
take care of your ear and how to remove the wick.
- Keep water out of your ears until the infection is
completely gone.
- Take baths instead of showers.
- Ask your health care provider how you should protect your
ears when you wash your hair.
How can I help prevent otitis externa?
- Don't put anything in your ears that should not be put
into them. This includes Q-tips.
- Ask your health care provider if it might help to wear
earplugs or use something such as lamb's wool to keep
your ears dry when you swim and shower.
- Dry your ears carefully if you get water in them. You
can use a hair dryer (on the "warm" setting) to help dry
the water in the ear canal.
- Avoid any substance that may cause an allergic reaction
of the ear canal skin. Read product labels carefully and
ask your health care provider before you use chemicals or
medications in the area around your ear.
Developed by McKesson Health Solutions LLC.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information is intended to inform and educate and is not a
replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
Copyright © 2003 McKesson Health Solutions LLC. All rights reserved.